2018 is coming.

This video was, and is, all true. And while these looters will try to distract us, exhaust us and mislead us, we’re going to get down to the business of throwing them out and recovering what they’ve stolen.

(Letterfrom Indivisible’s founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin)

334 days. That’s how long this movement, our progressive allies, and hundreds of thousands of activists across the country denied Republicans and Trump a major legislative victory.

Last night, the House passed the Trump Tax Scam 227 votes to 203 votes (with 12 Republicans voting against). In the cover of darkness, the Senate passed the bill in a party-line vote, 51 votes to 48 votes just before 1am. And, just now, because Republicans are literally terrible at governing, the House re-voted on the bill sending it off to Trump’s desk.

This loss hurts.

This bill will have real, terrible, human consequences. In one fell swoop, Republicans gave huge tax cuts to corporations and their millionaire donors, gutted the centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act leaving millions more without health insurance, opened up Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for drilling… all with essentially no public debate.

With this vote, Republicans thumbed their nose at their constituents, democracy, and regular order. Trump, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and the Freedom Caucus all showed they don’t care about reducing the deficit or representing their constituents. They care about nothing more than lining the pockets of themselves (lookin’ at you, Bob Corker) and their donors. And when you’re facing opponents like that, it’s a hard fight to win.

But let’s be clear: you did everything right. This isn’t the victory we hoped for, but we left it all on the field. Indivisibles held 351 actions to protest the tax scam. You made 323,563 phone calls to progressives in key red states to amp up the pressure and 23,512 calls were made to members of Congress. You dragged this fight out to the bitter end and made it as painful as possible for them to betray their constituents.

Take a minute to grieve this loss, but be proud of everything you did to fight for justice over the last few weeks. But this fight isn’t over.

We wrote the Indivisible Guide a year ago with a lot of lessons from the Tea Party’s successes in mind (minus their racism and violence). And when the Tea Party lost on the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, they didn’t just throw in the towel. They got right back up and kept fighting. That loss fueled their sustained activism and organizing for the next few years.

Now, it’s our turn to dust off our shoulders, get back to work, and deliver a progressive counterreaction to this bill.

Tomorrow, the next day, and every single day until we have unified, progressive control of the House, Senate, and the White House, no Republican Senator should be able to appear in public without answering questions about their vote for this bill and their betrayal of their constituents. A few are up for reelection next year. And the rest will come up in 2020 and 2022. They. Will. Lose.

Remember, there’s a reason that Republicans had to rush this tax scam through this week. They’re already beginning to lose their majority. Last week, Republicans lost a Senate seat in Alabama. We’ll say it again: they lost a Senate seat in Alabama, one of the reddest states in the country. That. doesn’t. happen. Republicans know they’re losing. They will be replaced, and their abominable legislation will be repealed.

Today, we lost one (big, huge, scary) fight.

But the wind is at our backs. We have the momentum, we’re winning at the ballot box, and the American people are on our side. We will win.

In solidarity,

Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin
Co-Executive Directors of Indivisible

The next step to fighting the Trump Tax Scam is “Replace and Repeal”.

We must hold Republicans who voted for this bill accountable and replace them in Congress. Then, we must repeal the scam. Check out our new resource here. Here’s where we start:

#1 – Thank

Call or email your Democrats you’re grateful they held strong and you hope they stay strong when the GOP come after Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security next year.

Minimal Script for Democrats: I’m [calling from (zip code)/writing] to thank Congressman / Senator [___] for opposing the Trump Tax Scam every time it came to the floor this year.

More Script if you need it: I also want the [Congressman / Senator] to continue opposing the destructive Trump agenda in the new year including stopping cuts to the social safety net, demanding protections for Dreamers, and preventing war with Iran or North Korea.

#2 – Spank

Call your members of Congress (MoCs). Tell Republicans how angry you are and that you won’t forget their vote.

Minimal Script for GOP: I’m calling from [zip code]. It is a disgrace that Congressman / Senator [___] voted for this tax scam. It is a giveaway to the wealthy and corporations that I will pay for with my health care coverage and taxes. Next time I’m in a voting booth, I will remember this.

More Script if you need it: I expect [her / him] to oppose the destructive Trump agenda that hurts his/her constituents by opposing cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and other programs that people rely on.

#3 – Retire the GOP.

Nearby areas with GOP congressmen will be organizing “Retirement Parties”. Stay tuned to our events listing at IndivisibleVentura.org for information to join in the fun.

#4 – Listen to our leaders!

Join us on a call TONIGHT with our Co-Executive Directors with Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT. We’ll talk about what happened in the final days and hours of the tax scam debate and discuss how exactly we hold MoCs accountable. RSVP for the call here and be sure to dial in a few minutes early — even if you RSVP, only the first 500 callers make it on the line.

#5 – Get ready to “Replace”…

As we’ve seen from recent political victories, there’s a lot of volunteer work that needs to be done to engage voters enough to turn out for off-year elections.

Come out with us to canvass and register voters! Yes, even you introverts. There will be opportunities almost every week to head into GOP territory or to help supportive legislators closer to home. Keep an eye on our Events listing here.

Bookmark this great online voter registration tool for Californians and start asking people around you if they’re registered. Remind them they need to re-register after every move.